Oklahoma State Assessment Test (OSAT) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

What is a key developmental milestone for children aged 8 to 18 months?

1. Developing complex speech

2. Understanding the concept of sharing

3. Expressing feelings but lacking understanding

4. Engaging in problem-solving without adult help

The correct answer is: Expressing feelings but lacking understanding

A key developmental milestone for children aged 8 to 18 months is indeed the ability to express feelings, even if they do not fully understand those emotions. At this stage, toddlers begin to exhibit a range of emotional expressions, including happiness, frustration, and sadness, which are important for their social and emotional development. This expression of feelings is a crucial part of their interaction with caregivers and the world around them. They may cry when upset or smile when content, indicating emerging emotional awareness. However, their understanding of these feelings is still quite basic, and they are often not yet able to comprehend more complex emotional states or manage them effectively. Children in this age range are also continuing to develop their communication skills, albeit not at a complex level; their verbal abilities are typically limited to single words and simple phrases. The focus on complex speech, the understanding of sharing, and independence in problem-solving are milestones that are more characteristic of later developmental stages, typically occurring after 18 months.